From Fossils to Flying Drones: A Spirited Week in Cambridge

The past couple of days at Dukes Cambridge have been full of energy, curiosity and creativity. With the sun making plenty of appearances and the campus buzzing with activity, students have thrown themselves into everything from scientific experiments and guest lectures to group challenges and photography tasks. The general atmosphere has remained light-hearted and cheerful, helped along by great food, exciting evening events and a spirit of shared discovery among the students.

On the academic front, students across all classes were given plenty to think about and discuss. In sociology, classes explored the concept of culture and identity, delving into the idea of the “cultural iceberg”—what is visible in a culture versus what lies beneath the surface. Students drew comparisons between norms in their own home countries and those of their classmates, encouraging thoughtful conversations and plenty of reflection. Meanwhile, in another session, students took part in experiments based on classical conditioning, using scents like lemon juice and lavender. One student, drawing the connection to Pavlov’s theory, amusingly asked, “We are the dogs?”—a moment that brought laughter and showed just how engaged they were in the process.

Science and Technology lessons have been especially hands-on this week. Students spent time handling different types of fossils, working in groups to understand their formation and age. Later, in a lively engineering challenge, they designed protective structures for raw eggs using only paper. Two teams successfully kept their eggs intact after a dramatic four-metre drop from the college balcony—cue cheers and plenty of celebration. The following day, students built windmills from lollipop sticks and paper, testing them with fans to see which design generated the most power. This practical approach continued into an afternoon filled with coding and robotics, where students worked in small groups to programme drones and experiment with mechanical builds. These sessions not only sharpened technical skills but gave everyone a real buzz of achievement.

Business students also had a stimulating couple of days, starting with teamwork and communication activities including “Two Truths and a Lie” (a challenge for many who struggled with the lying part—much to everyone’s amusement) and the marshmallow and spaghetti tower challenge. Discussions around business values and international practices sparked thoughtful debate, setting the tone for the following day’s guest lecture on stocks and shares. With hypothetical money in hand, students analysed case studies and made investment decisions as part of a fun, competitive activity focused on teamwork and financial literacy.

Beyond the classrooms, the campus continued to buzz with activity. Tuesday evening saw students take part in a photography challenge around Cambridge. Working in groups, they were given themes by college mentors and encouraged to explore the city creatively, with the promise of a prize for the best series of photos. The streets and courtyards became their canvas, and the activity proved to be both a bonding experience and a way to see Cambridge from new perspectives.

Wednesday evening brought a more relaxed change of pace with a “big park chill” at Parker’s Piece. Blankets were spread across the grass, and students dipped in and out of football, badminton, card games, and bubble-blowing, while others simply enjoyed chatting and relaxing in the warm weather. It was a lovely way to round off the day, and the variety of activities meant everyone found something they enjoyed.

The excitement continued with an outing to St Paul’s Church for a guest lecture by Katie Hart on psychology and the brain. Her engaging style and interactive delivery kept the students on their toes—especially those who managed to win sweets for answering questions correctly. In the afternoon, medicine students learnt CPR and emergency response skills during first aid training, a valuable and practical session that students approached with care and maturity.

Back on campus, informal moments have also played a big part in building community spirit. The lunchtime burgers and chips got full marks from students, while the table tennis table has become a hotspot during breaks. A group of boys have set up ongoing matches with running scores, often inviting new students to join in. At the same time, a group of girls has become rather invested in giant Jenga games—proof that fun doesn’t always need to be planned.

It’s also been great to see students growing in confidence as they navigate free time in Cambridge. While a few were hesitant at first to explore beyond the college, staff have been gently encouraging everyone to take full advantage of the safe and beautiful surroundings—with many now venturing out in groups to enjoy what the city has to offer.

With so many opportunities to learn, laugh and connect, the past two days have shown just how quickly students can settle into new routines and thrive when given the space to explore. Whether it’s the thrill of building a working robot, debating cultural values, or relaxing in the park with friends, there’s a strong sense that students are making the most of every moment here in Cambridge.